So DavidC you sound as though you're in favour of monopolies , if it wasn't for de-regulation, the village I've just moved to , I wouldn't be able to go anywhere . There's a lot to be said here for Arriva . I would guess that a smart young man like you are a motorist .

Well the de-regulation entitled others to have a go at some of the bus routes instead of it being a closed shop and revolving around what used to be west midlands transport or somesuch . We don't have wmpte or national express in this village

Phil I have no doubt in what you are saying but the 5 route now runs from Carrs Lane To Solihull and back as I said I was on it a few days ago and it actually passes the end of the entrance to the Estate on which we live. It would have doing this route for at least 10 or even 15 years [certainly since I had my Bus pass 12 years ago]

It's surprising how many passengers I came across who still referred to it as the "Corporation" and when they complained about a bus stop or shelter, they thought you were just trying to get out of it when you told them that they were the responsibility of Centro.